100 Women We Love Class of 2010
A Houston, Texas native, Annise Parker has remained close to her roots. She was sworn in as the 61st mayor of Houston in January, becoming only the second woman and first openly gay person to hold that office. She graduated from Rice University and worked for two decades in the oil and gas industry, with 18 of those years spent at the Houston-based Mosbacher Energy Company. For ten years, she co-owned Inklings, a Houston-based independent gay bookstore. Parker was involved in Houston politics for several years prior to becoming mayor, serving six years as a member of the City Council and one six-year term as Houston City Controller. -CB
As the first decade of the new millennium comes to an end, we take a moment to celebrate 100 out lesbians who have made the past year one of inspiring change and amazing progress.
Nedra Johnson
“Writing songs is like doing an emotional excavation. I do it because I need the healing it brings me. It’s an added blessing that they become meaningful to other people as well, because I know that experience as a fan of other songwriters,” says Nedra Johnson philosophically. An accomplished singer/songwriter on the women’s music scene, Johnson performs with a funk/R&B-influenced style and evocative lyrics about lesbian love, politics and spirituality. A frequent performer at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, Johnson has also appeared at numerous jazz and Pride festivals internationally. “I hope that my words can give voice to or be a refuge or a mirror for women especially, but for anyone who just needs to feel like they are not alone. Depending on the song I hope they laugh, cry, rally, dance or have great sex. I hear it all happens.” -CB
